JORDAN: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani makes TV address from hospital

Iraq president Talabani has vowed to return to his post after his medical visit to Jordan. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani appeared on Iraqi television on Thursday (March 1) for the first time since he was taken to hospital in Jordan on Sunday, saying he was in good health and would return to his post. Talabani, who is in his early 70s, was dressed casually and looking much as normal in the address to Iraqis broadcast on Iraqiya state television from his hospital in Amman. "I thank God the almighty for his generosity and for the good health that I am in now. I believe that you see me in good health, contrary to the rumours that have went out." "Thanks to God, as you see now, I am in good health and I will return to Iraq in very good health to continue on my path with the people of Iraq," he said. "I will continue to be an important player in the process towards a new Iraq." Talabani thanked world leaders from U.S. President George W. Bush to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for their letters, visits and phone calls, adding that the first call he received was from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "I hope to God that I will go back safe and in very good health in order continue my journey with our proud Iraqi people. The journey of liberation and democracy and safety and peace and independence and national unity and Iraqi unity." A former Kurdish guerrilla who was backed by Iran against Saddam Hussein, Talabani has been trying to push diplomatic initiatives to persuade Iraq's neighbours Iran and Syria to help quell violence in Iraq. His spokesman has said he was suffering from exhaustion.

ITN Source | March 2, 2007

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